Chapter 28
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 28
Chapter Title: Zhuge Mun-hyeon's Dilemma
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Martial Arts Alliance.
As soon as he received Pure’s report, Hwang Seong-won, the Master of the Demon-Dispelling Pavilion, immediately notified the Master of the Demon-Slaying Pavilion to come to the Information Tower and rushed over himself.
“Damn it all.”
Seeing Hwang Seong-won hurry off, Jo Jin-ryang, the Master of the Demon-Slaying Pavilion, realized he had been beaten to the punch again and cursed under his breath.
When Zhuge Mun-hyeon returned as the Head of the Information Tower, Alliance Leader Yang Cheon-rin had instructed both the Demon-Dispelling and Demon-Slaying Pavilions to report all future incidents to him.
That was why they were running to the Information Tower, not the Alliance Leader's hall.
The Information Tower.
Vice Tower Head Yuk Yeong-seo led Hwang Seong-won and Jo Jin-ryang into Zhuge Mun-hyeon’s room.
With a calm expression, Zhuge Mun-hyeon gestured for them to sit.
The moment he sat down, Hwang Seong-won handed Pure's report to Zhuge Mun-hyeon and began passionately praising the accomplishments of Affectionate and Pure.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon’s eyes glinted as he quickly read the report.
“Head Zhuge, this is absurd.”
“What do you mean, absurd?”
As Jo Jin-ryang interjected, Hwang Seong-won shot back.
“Head Zhuge. Pure must have fabricated this report to claim credit. You must not mobilize the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad based on this false information.”
“What? I’ve let you slide, but this is too much…”
“Pavilion Master Hwang. Just a moment.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon stopped Hwang Seong-won and gestured for Jo Jin-ryang to continue.
“Head Zhuge. Pure has never submitted a false report.”
“Pavilion Master Hwang, let’s hear him out. This is a very important matter. I, too, trust Pure.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon placated the indignant Hwang Seong-won and urged Jo Jin-ryang to go on.
Emboldened, Jo Jin-ryang continued his argument.
“Affectionate is a new operative of the Demon-Dispelling Pavilion. At best, he’s a peak-level martial artist.”
“That would be so.”
“But according to Pure’s report, he sounds like a Grand Master. It says he launched finger winds from mid-air while performing lightness arts, killing twenty members of the Dark Heavenly Cult, and then subdued Seop Yu-heun, a young warrior, and a middle-aged warrior.”
“Hmm.”
“It also says the young warrior seemed slightly weaker than Seop Yu-heun, while the middle-aged warrior surpassed him. Who is the Blood Demon Saber, Seop Yu-heun? And you expect me to believe he not only defeated Seop Yu-heun and other powerful experts but also escaped with Cheol Mu-ui? Does that make any sense?”
Growing agitated, Jo Jin-ryang slammed his fists on the table, his voice rising.
“Affectionate was also completely exhausted after taking down the middle-aged warrior.”
Hwang Seong-won’s attempt at a defense lacked conviction.
Jo Jin-ryang, gaining momentum, pressed on.
“And the martial art Affectionate supposedly used to defeat the middle-aged warrior, who was said to be stronger than Seop Yu-heun, is even more outrageous. He formed two giant aura wheels and launched them, leaving the middle-aged warrior’s body torn to shreds and incapacitated. Is this a technique a mere operative of the Demon-Dispelling Pavilion can perform?”
“Pavilion Master Hwang. What are your thoughts?”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon raised a hand, cutting Jo Jin-ryang off, and turned his gaze to Hwang Seong-won.
Hwang Seong-won defended himself, his tone aggrieved.
“I don’t fully understand the situation either. But Pure is a veteran liaison who has never filed a false report. You know this as well, Head Zhuge. There have been many reports that seemed hard to believe at first but later turned out to be true.”
“That’s true.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon nodded as if in understanding.
“Head Zhuge. Surely you don't believe Pure’s report? This is on a different level from the uncertainties in previous reports. This is a complete fabrication, a blatant lie.”
“What? A blatant lie?”
Hwang Seong-won’s face flushed with anger as he grabbed Jo Jin-ryang by the collar.
“What is this disgraceful behavior? Will you not stop at once?”
At Zhuge Mun-hyeon’s sharp rebuke, Hwang Seong-won released his grip on Jo Jin-ryang’s collar, his face contorted as he slumped back into his seat.
Jo Jin-ryang also sat down, his expression clearly displeased.
“Cheol Mu-ui will soon report the situation via carrier pigeon. Both of you, return to your offices and continue gathering information. I will summon you again when a crucial lead comes in.”
As Zhuge Mun-hyeon gave the stern command, Jo Jin-ryang and Hwang Seong-won respectfully clasped their fists and withdrew from his office.
Once they were alone, Yuk Yeong-seo let out a short sigh.
“The Demon-Slaying and Demon-Dispelling Pavilions were never on good terms, but it wasn't this bad before. It’s a pity.”
“That’s because Pavilion Master Hwang used to hold back. Since the Demon-Slaying Pavilion outmatched the Demon-Dispelling Pavilion in every aspect, he had to endure it, no matter how much it boiled his insides.”
“In that case?”
“Yes. He’s not holding back anymore. The pent-up resentment is finally erupting. And all of this has been happening since this man called Affectionate appeared.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon calmly assessed the situation before continuing.
“What do you think? Did Affectionate really defeat them?”
“I am also skeptical. To display such martial prowess would be a difficult feat even for one of the Alliance’s Ten Great Warriors.”
“Indeed. The problem is that the report is from Pure. I know her well. She is not the type to seek gain through lies.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon knew the inner workings of both the Demon-Dispelling and Demon-Slaying Pavilions.
“So, what should we do now?”
“Let’s wait. We should make a judgment once Cheol Mu-ui’s report arrives. To be honest, I too find Pure’s report baffling.”
“Should we summon Affectionate for confirmation?”
“Let’s not. Their identities are guaranteed by the Alliance’s rules. Should we, who are supposed to prioritize protecting their identities, be the ones to break that rule? Who would become an operative for the Demon-Dispelling or Demon-Slaying Pavilions then?”
“My thinking was short-sighted.”
“Keep this in mind. The most vital information that comes to the Information Tower is through our operatives and liaisons. They are also the ones who step forward to verify critical intelligence. We must protect their identities, no matter what.”
“I will remember that.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon gestured for Yuk Yeong-seo to leave.
Left alone, Zhuge Mun-hyeon fell deep into thought.
‘Two aura wheels…’
The martial art Affectionate was said to have used lingered in his mind.
‘The finger technique is like the Lightning Finger Strike, and the swift swordplay is reminiscent of Flashing Thunder and Lightning. And the aura wheel is like the Storm Slash Wheel. This is the Heavenly Will Sword Art, isn't it? Hah, that's absurd. What am I even thinking?’
Zhuge Mun-hyeon shook his head.
The thought that had crossed his mind was simply too ridiculous.
The next day.
A report sent by Cheol Mu-ui arrived via carrier pigeon.
As he read it, Zhuge Mun-hyeon’s expression hardened.
“How can this be?”
“What does it say to make you react like that?”
As Yuk Yeong-seo approached and asked cautiously, Zhuge Mun-hyeon handed him the report.
After reading the tiny, meticulous script on the small piece of paper, Yuk Yeong-seo was utterly astonished.
“Unbelievable. Pure’s report was true.”
“Indeed. Immediately send a carrier pigeon to the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad and order them to annihilate the Shanxi branch of the Dark Blood Heaven Cult. Inform the Demon-Slaying and Demon-Dispelling Pavilions as well.”
“Understood.”
“And.”
Zhuge Mun-hyeon lowered his voice.
“Keep the matter of the Dark Nine Bloods confidential. Tell only the masters of the Demon-Dispelling and Demon-Slaying Pavilions.”
“Yes. Understood.”
Yuk Yeong-seo hurried out.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon paced around the room, lost in thought.
He was so curious about Affectionate's identity that he could barely focus on his work.
‘Perhaps it would be better to bring this man into the Alliance’s core? His talents are too great to be wasted as a mere operative for the Demon-Dispelling Pavilion.’
He wanted to summon Affectionate immediately and create a direct strike force for the Information Tower, just like the Soul-Chasing Sword Squad.
But he couldn't, as it could shatter the chain of command for the Demon-Dispelling and Demon-Slaying Pavilions.
‘The problem is that there’s a spy in the Alliance. A single misstep could leak all the information we’ve painstakingly gathered on the operatives and liaisons of the Demon-Dispelling and Demon-Slaying Pavilions.’
As the top intelligence authority in the Martial Arts Alliance, Zhuge Mun-hyeon was aware of the spies.
He had already identified a few of them.
The reason he hadn't arrested them yet was that their positions were too low to access any significant information within the Alliance.
Furthermore, if he were to capture them, the key spies who had infiltrated deeper would cover their tracks and hide even more carefully.
That would make catching them a distant prospect, so Zhuge Mun-hyeon deliberately feigned ignorance of their existence while secretly monitoring them.
Zhuge Mun-hyeon slowly left the Information Tower to report the situation to the Alliance Leader.
**
The outskirts of Taiyuan.
Pure and I arrived at the manor that served as the Shanxi branch of the Dark Blood Heaven Cult.
“It looks desolate.”
“It does. This place was always bustling with countless warriors coming and going. Do you think they abandoned it?”
“Wouldn’t they?”
I nodded slowly, agreeing with Pure’s assessment.
The Dark Blood Heaven Cult likely concluded that their information had been leaked to the Martial Arts Alliance due to this incident and had decisively shut down the branch to relocate.
Besides, the fact that I had defeated Seop Yu-heun and two members of the Dark Nine Bloods must have shocked their leadership.
“What should we do?”
“What else? We have to go in and see.”
“It could be a trap.”
“You stay here. I’ll go in and check.”
“I’m going with you. The rules state that operatives and liaisons must move together during missions.”
“You’re impossible. Fine, but follow me as stealthily as you can.”
As soon as I finished speaking, I launched myself into the manor.
“You’re the impossible one, Affectionate.”
Pure’s form blurred and then vanished.
Once inside the manor, I heightened my senses to their peak and began to survey my surroundings.
I could feel the presence of warriors and non-practitioners scattered about, but I couldn't detect the sharp aura unique to masters.
Having reached the pinnacle of martial arts, I was adept at finding masters who concealed their skills.
Even if they managed to hide ninety percent of their internal energy, I could still detect the faint, sharp edge that leaked out.
After scanning for a long time and confirming the absence of any masters, I immediately proceeded deeper inside.
The servants who had been doing chores here looked at me with fearful eyes, and when our gazes met, they immediately prostrated themselves.
I ignored them, as I wouldn't get any useful information from them.
Seop Yu-heun’s quarters.
I opened the door without hesitation.
Seeing the chaotically scattered drawers and safes, it was clear they had left in a hurry.
“Pure.”
“Yes.”
“Search. They left in a rush, so they must have left some trace behind.”
“Understood.”
Leaving the room to Pure, I went back outside.
As I looked around the manor, I tilted my head in confusion.
‘Strange. The middle-aged warrior was definitely a cut above Seop Yu-heun. So why can’t I find an office that looks like it belonged to him? The young warrior was weaker than Seop Yu-heun, but he was still formidable. His office is nowhere to be seen either. In that case… I see. Those two must have been from the Dark Nine Bloods, sent from the main headquarters. The young one must have been a Seven Bloods, so the middle-aged warrior was…?’
The middle-aged warrior was likely of a higher rank than a Seven Bloods.
I went outside, climbed onto the roof, and sat down with a thud.
If anyone could extract information they might have left behind, it was Pure.
For now, all I could do was trust her.
I closed my eyes and spread my senses in all directions, preparing for any potential intruders.
I was confident that no master could approach me without being detected.
Though masters who could defeat the current me certainly existed.